the papacy is now formally vacant and we'll bring you the latest on pope benedict's dramatic farewell and the election of his successor. also close to vatican city, john kerry meet with the syrian opposition in rome pledging $60 million in basic assistance, the first american aid to the syrian opposition. >>> and at long last, the house today passed the senate's expanded version of the violence against women act ending 18 months of standoff. every democrat voted for it. 138 republicans somehow had a problem with it. we'll have more on that just ahead. >>> but we begin with the president and congressional leaders set to huddle at the white house tomorrow. the very day that automatic defense and domestic cuts will kick in and still without any solution to the so-called sequester. both democrats and republicans in the senate staged votes to replace the cuts to no avail. but there was plenty of time for republicans to preview their talking points presumably in preparation to toss them at the president tomorrow. >> and how much more money do we want to steal from the american people to fun